Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

What we do is as important as how we do it, and as we Bring Monroe Back, County Executive Bello is committed to doing so through a lens of equity. To ensure this happens, the Bello administration created Monroe County’s Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). This department is developing and training our staff, creating a language access plan for Monroe County, and working with the City of Rochester, the Rochester City School District, and the Urban League of Rochester to create a plan to implement and monitor recommendations from the RASE Report.

By diversifying our workforce and placing people with diverse backgrounds and experiences in key roles, Monroe County is changing how it does business. Under County Executive Bello Monroe County has:

• Developed a Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) certification program, that in its first year certified over 200 businesses.
• Developed a language access plan so that non-English language speakers can better access the programs and services offered by Monroe County.
• Worked with the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community to ensure that all of our public safety communications are available in ASL.
• Formed employee affinity groups that amplify, celebrate, and raise the voices of the diverse communities that make Monroe County such a vibrant place to live.
• Secured grant funding to train and certify BIPOC peer advocates in mental health and substance use services.